Dark Horse Bar & Eatery
American restaurant · Downtown ·
Modern American fare & craft beer in industrial-chic space
Modern American fare & craft beer in industrial-chic space
"The stalwart Lowertown bar and restaurant closed its doors permanently on Saturday, February 14 after nearly a decade in operation." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Owners announced the bar’s final day of operation would be Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, and they shared the news on Thursday, January 30 on social media. “This business is not for the weak-hearted and we gave it our absolute best, like (owner) Paddy (Whelen) would say— ‘a good ole college try,’” the post reads. Opened in spring 2015 during a development boom in Lowertown, the venture was launched by Sarah Schrantz and Paddy Whelan, who also ran the Minneapolis institution Muddy Waters (a coffee shop turned gastropub that closed in 2020). From the start it promised an ambitious, globally inspired menu served at affordable prices, and the space featured a rustic industrial vibe, late-night happy hours, a massive draft beer selection, a whiskey wall, and a popular sprawling patio. In recent years Lowertown’s restaurant tenants have struggled as the pandemic forced an exodus of the area’s restaurant workers who left the industry for remote employment; nearby longtime tequila bar Barrio closed its doors for good in September 2024 after 15 years of business, and other closures in the area over the past few years include Big Biscuit and Noyes & Cutler." - Serena Maria Daniels
"An ambitious menu spanning the globe is served at barroom prices. The funky urban space, complete with on-trend rustic industrial touches like exposed metal ductwork and gleaming chandeliers is welcoming to urbanites and families, lunch meetings and happy hour gatherings." - Joy Summers
"Lowertown's new neighborhood eatery has an alley patio that's perfect for a quiet getaway, great beer and a bite inside the city." - Joy Summers
"Though the Twin Cities are densely populated with great pubs and bars, Lowertown’s Dark Horse Bar and Eatery is one of the intrepid few that stay open until the city-mandated bar close, at 2am. Get a local brew for $4, and try out their dry-rub ghost pepper jerk wings: searingly, mouthwateringly, addictively spicy." - Eater Staff
